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Pops
Lokahi
USA
387 Posts |
 Posted - 12/10/2006 : 06:42:46 AM
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I have a MacBook running on OS X, version 10.4.8 with all the basics. I'm interested in doing some home recording and I was wondering what's the best way to record acoustic guitar and 'ukuele without going broke. I know I need a good mic, but what do I need to plug it into to interface, etc.
Mahalo for your suggestions!
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hapakid
Luna Ho`omalu
USA
1533 Posts |
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Pops
Lokahi
USA
387 Posts |
Posted - 12/10/2006 : 12:47:25 PM
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Thanks, Jesse, for the useful suggestions and the hyperlinks. I really apprecitate it and so does Santa!
--Mark |
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Karl Monetti
`Olu`olu
USA
756 Posts |
Posted - 12/10/2006 : 8:43:15 PM
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Pops,
I have a mac G4 powerbook. I don;t know if the Macbook has Garageband, but i would assume it does. I found a really cool, inexpensive device last year called GuitarPlug. It is a cord with USB on one end and a fat 1/4" jack at the other. The jack converts the signal from your guitar's pickup into digital information and feeds it right into your computer. If yo do not have a pickup in your guitar or less likely the uke, just mike the darned thing and get an adapter for the mike cable so yo have a female 1/4" jack to plug the guitarplug into. I have even used it to mike vocals that way. It ain't the best for vocals, but the guitar comes thru just fine and it is probably the cheapest and simplest to use. I think it would work on any comuter system with a USB port on it |
Karl
Frozen North |
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cpatch
Ahonui
USA
2187 Posts |
Posted - 12/11/2006 : 07:27:28 AM
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The GuitarPlug is one way to go but you can also get decent condenser and dynamic mics now that plug directly into a USB port. They run $80 and up. Samson is probably your best bet and using a mic instead of the GuitarPlug gives you more flexibility in terms of recording both guitar and vocals.
Another option is the Zoom H4 field recorder ($299) we've been discussing in other threads. You can use the built-in stereo mics to record directly onto a SecureDigital card ($30 online for 2GB) or use the H4 as a USB interface and record directly into your computer. The advantage of the H4 is that it's extremely portable and you can record on the road then transfer it to your computer later. I did some recording at the SoCal kanikapila yesterday and will post some samples when I get a chance. With the H4's X/Y stereo mic setup you can also position the unit on its side between the guitar and your mouth and record both vocals and guitar quite nicely.
I'll also add a vote for GarageBand...unless you're trying to do professional live multitrack recording it's by far the most powerful and intuitive recording app for the Mac and is a steal as part of the iLife package for $79. (Although I'd wait until after the MacWorld show at the beginning of January to buy if you can...chances are that the new version of iLife will be announced then.) |
Craig
My goal is to be able to play as well as people think I can. |
Edited by - cpatch on 12/11/2006 1:48:20 PM |
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Mark
Ha`aha`a
USA
1628 Posts |
Posted - 12/11/2006 : 10:16:05 AM
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I agree with Craig about the Zoom -- it's a dandy little basic USB interface and it'll serve double duty as a field recorder.
However -- the question to ask your self is not "How cheaply can I do this?" but "How can I do this properly for not a lot of money?"
If all you want to do is play around with basic recording & have fun, then you can do it very cheaply indeed. Use GarageBand & pick up a cheap-o mic & interface. Total outlay -- less than $100 - $200.
(Or, if you really want to cheap out, use the mic built into your Macbook. It works with Garageband just fine...)
If you want to actually record something that sounds like your guitar & `ukulele, plan on spending maybe $400 - $500 total for a decent mic or two and a reasonable interface & software bundle.
By the way, did I mention I wrote a book called "Getting Started in Computer Music?"
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Pops
Lokahi
USA
387 Posts |
Posted - 12/11/2006 : 4:41:53 PM
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| Mahalo everyone for your thoughtful suggestions. They are most appreciated. My son also suggested an M Audio interface with a good mic. He uses it with Garageband with really nice results. Anyone have any experice with this tool? Thanks! |
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cpatch
Ahonui
USA
2187 Posts |
Posted - 12/12/2006 : 08:50:38 AM
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| I've had terrible experience with M-Audio products. They're great when they work but if anything ever goes wrong they have the worst customer support I've ever run across. (And things have gone wrong with both products I've owned.) They won't get my business again. |
Craig
My goal is to be able to play as well as people think I can. |
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